The Breakfast Club programme provides free and nutritious breakfasts to over 75,000 schoolchildren in the UK every day, with support targeted to schools and pupils where the need is greatest.
Research has shown that Breakfast Clubs in schools have a positive impact on a pupils’ attendance levels punctuality and learning. The programme has expanded in recent years, growing from 500 to 1,000 clubs in less than six years.
As well as providing a nutritious breakfast every morning, all schools in the Breakfast Club network can access the Greggs Foundation Hardship fund. This supports individuals and families in financial crisis, providing food, clothing and energy vouchers as well as beds and essential home appliances to those in need.
Richard Hutton, chief financial officer at Greggs plc and trustee of the Greggs Foundation, said: “Having opened our first Breakfast Club 25 years ago and now hitting this milestone of 1,000 clubs, we know how important breakfast is for everyone to start their day right.
“Not only do the clubs offer a nutritious start to the day, but they also provide a time for children to engage with each other and with school staff before their classes begin, increasing their readiness to learn and concentrate during lessons.
“Our research shows that parents continue to find the increase in the cost of living challenging. The Government's promise to support state-funded Breakfast Clubs recognises the positive impact our programme has had over the past 25 years, but there is still more to be done to support families.
“We will therefore be developing our support for schools across even more of the school day through after-school clubs and holiday clubs - something our network of schools have been increasingly vocal about in recent years."
The funding for the set-up costs and ongoing management of the Breakfast Clubs, which each cost an average of £3,500 each year to run, is provided through various sources.
The Greggs Foundation works with over 160 external partners to sponsor over 450 Clubs, with the remaining Breakfast Clubs funded directly by the Foundation itself. The Breakfast Clubs are run by school staff and parent volunteers.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Breakfast Club programme. Since its launch in 1999, it has donated 90 million breakfasts to UK schoolchildren.